Shirley Botchwey, Ghana foreign minister, named Commonwealth secretary-general

The Commonwealth has named Shirley Botchwey, Ghana’s minister of foreign affairs, as its secretary-general.

Botchwey’s appointment was announced on Friday at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.

Botchwey has been serving as a minister in Ghana for the past seven years.

As Commonwealth secretary-general, she will be responsible for running the London-based secretariat.

The secretary-general position is rotated around the four blocs in the Commonwealth — the Pacific, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

It is now Africa’s turn to produce the secretary-general for the organisation.

In a statement, Botchwey thanked the Commonwealth heads of state for the appointment.

“Truly humbled by the overwhelming support of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in selecting me as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. The work indeed lies ahead,” she said.

“I’m honoured and humbled by the trust of Commonwealth leaders. A lot of work lies ahead. But together, we shall work for a New Commonwealth that works for all its citizens.”

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 sovereign states, including Nigeria.

King Charles III is the head of the Commonwealth.

Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the CHOGM which is hosted by different member countries on a rotational basis.

The Commonwealth secretariat was created in 1965 as a central inter-governmental office.

The secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights.